Heather and her crew spend a short time in Mystic, then continue their journey eastward. An interesting parallel is found to a three-week sailing trip I took with my Brother aboard his Gulfstar 43.
In the spring of 1989, we sailed from South Amboy, New Jersey and made some of the same stops as UP ANCHOR’s Marlin family. After sailing through Long Island Sound, we visited Block Island (and hit Mystic on the return trip). We also spent a night at Cuttyhunk Island, but from there our courses diverged. Where Heather headed northeast toward the Cape Cod Canal (and Down East), Brett and I sailed east to Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket. Also, we didn’t hit any whales. The only bit of trouble we ran into was getting pulled over by a Coat Guard Cutter in Buzzard’s Bay… but that’s another story.
The damage is assessed and while it could have been worse—losing the engine and centerboard is not good!
Introducing a monkey might seem like a bit of a stretch, but it is a nice call back to a KEVIN THE BOLD episode from a couple decades back.
A recently-acquired batch of UP ANCHOR! half pages included most of the episodes of a story arc which ran 53 years ago, in the summer of 1970. The action begins in Florida, but the Marlin family soon land in New England, in order to handle the delivery of a sailboat.
UP ANCHOR! was based on the Collins’s experiences cruising and living aboard their boat. In May, 1964, Kreigh, Theresa, and 13-year-old twins Kevin and Glen left West Michigan and journeyed to New York City to take part in the first Operation Sail, which was a tie-in to the 1964 New York World’s Fair.
Coinciding with this trip was the imminent birth Of Kreigh and Teddy’s second grandchild (Ahoy! That’s me!). In order to simplify things for my parents (Judy and Erik), the decision was made for my older brother Brett (not quite three years old), to accompany his grandparents and the “Uncle Boys” on the first leg of Heather’s trip. My family was living in Ann Arbor, Michigan at the time, so my dad drove Brett to Ada, dropped him off, with plans to pick him up in the Detroit area, after Heather had made the trip up and around Michigan’s “mitten.” (It must have made an impression on Brett, who has owned numerous sailboats during his adult life). In a letter, Kreigh described his youngest crew member as “not too much trouble,” which I always thought was pretty funny.
After dropping Brett off, the journey continued down the Detroit River, through Lake Erie and the Erie Barge Canal, and down the Hudson River. From there they sailed through Long Island Sound and made port at Mystic, Connecticut.
Theresa kept as diary during the voyage, and much of the material was eventually used as raw material for UP ANCHOR! Before turning into the comic strip’s storylines, it was edited, illustrated by Kreigh, and published as “In the Wake of the Heather.”
When I was putting together The Lost Art of Kreigh Collins, Vol. 1, The Complete Mitzi McCoy, a late stumbling block was finding replacement comics for the episodes I only had third-page examples of. Ironically, after searching far and wide for several years, I located them in a comic book shop about a dozen miles from my home. The catch was that I had to purchase them as part of complete comic sections. I left the shop with six 16-page New York Sunday Mirror Sunday comic sections and while I spent far more than I hoped, my quest was over. The Mirror carried MITZI for the duration of its run—usually in a half-tabloid format, but occasionally as a full tabloid page. Flipping through it reveals both big name features and comics now forgotten.
As usual, Ham Fisher’s JOE PALOOKA ran on the front page, followed by Milton Caniff’s STEVE CANYON and MICKEY FINN by Lank Leonard. Next up are HENRY by Carl Anderson, KERRY DRAKE, and SUPERMAN (neither credited, but by Alfred Andriola/Allen Saunders and Stan Kaye/Wayne Boring respectively). Then it was THE FLOP FAMILY by Swan, an advertisement for Philip Morris tobacco, and Frank Miller’s BARNEY BAXTER IN THE AIR.
The Philip Morris ad is interesting, it promotes both cigarettes and pipe tobacco. In the cigarette portion of the ad, Dick is behaving like a dick—due to a sore throat (caused by some other brand of smokes). He is given advice by a character dressed in a bizarre uniform who seems to be a golf course clubhouse attendant (was the illustrator’s reference an organ grinder monkey?), and appears to be about nine years old. Astonishingly, the dapper dandy offers Dick a Philip Morris cigarette, and ultimately, Dick’s love life is back on track. (Perhaps the attendant is an adult but his cigarette habit stunted his growth?)
The pipe tobacco portion of the ad, masquerading as a topper strip, has a character mentioning that he was from the class of ’89. With this newspaper edition dating to 1949, that means the gent was class of 1889 (!). Another character claims she loves the clean, fresh smell of her husband’s pipe. (Could it be that tobacco companies lied to consumers? Egad).
For me, the funny pages’ highlight probably falls into a category I mentioned earlier, “comics now forgotten.” This episode, MITZI McCOY’s 30th, is from the middle of the strip’s fourth story arc, and appears in the half-tabloid format. Half-tabs have small dimensions, but they include the throwaway panel, which full-page tabloid versions do not. It’s a sweet episode where a runaway child is discovered, and is notable for not showing the strip’s titular character. Of personal interest to me is the appearance of the child, Dick. Like many artists, Kreigh Collins used his family as models; for Dick, the model was my father, Erik—Kreigh’s oldest son. Dad was 10 years old when this episode was drawn. Sharing a page with MITZI is an advertisement for Pepsi, a rather saccharine affair with another kid saving the protagonist’s love life.
Next up were Harry Hanan’s silent comic LOUIE and an ad for Kellogg’s Corn Flakes (completely devoid of relationship advice from youngsters—how refreshing!). A page with Roy Crane’s CAPTAIN EASY, drawn here by Walt Scott, and V.T. Hamlin’s ALLEY OOP FOLLOWS; opposite these two strips is an ad for Fab detergent. The ad features a cartoonish family looking suspiciously similar to the family from the Corn Flakes ad, and hypes a pretty cool giveaway—a free house!—valued at $18,000 (things have certainly changed in the last 74 years!). then it’s Frank Godwin’s RUSTY RILEY, REX MORGAN, MD by Bradley and Edgington, BOOTS by Martin, and Merrill Blossar’s FRECKLES AND HIS FRIENDS (plus the topper strip HECTOR).
The last full spread in the section features OUT OUR WAY by J.R. Williams, PLUS OUR BOARDING HOUSE.
Taking its usual spot on the back cover is LIL’ ABNER by Al Capp.
Want to See More of Mitzi?
“The Lost Art of Kreigh Collins, the Complete Mitzi McCoy” features the entire run of Kreigh Collins’ first NEA feature.
MITZI McCOY ran from 1948 to 1950 and showcased Kreigh Collins’ skill as an illustrator and storyteller. His picturesque landscapes, lovely character designs, and thrilling action sequences brimmed with detail and charm, and the strip’s ensemble cast rotated in and out of the spotlight taking turns as protagonists in the dozen story arcs collected in this volume. The last story collected in “The Complete Mitzi McCoy” is the narrative bridge that set Collins and his characters off on a new journey, beautifully told for the next couple of decades in the much-lauded adventure strip Kevin the Bold.
The collection includes an introduction by Eisner Award-winning author Frank M. Young, an Afterward by Ithaca College’s Ed Catto, and previously unpublished artwork and photos. Longtime comics artist Butch Guice also provides a new pin-up of the character Mitzi McCoy.
The book is available for $30. For domestic shipping, add $4; for international orders, please add $25 to cover first class shipping. To place an order, leave a comment below or email me at BrianEdwardCollins1[at]gmail.com, and I will give you PayPal or Venmo information. Thank you!
For more information on the career of Kreigh Collins, visit his page on Facebook.
Kevin and Brett’s only advantage is the 24-hour head start they have over Moab and his desert raiders.
Again, Moab surprises Kevin. Despite his tactical advantage, Moab lays down his sword and professes his admiration for the Irishman. Kevin’s feelings are mutual, but surely danger lurks somewhere?
Valor is either contagious or Brett is a quick student. On the flip side of the same coin are a pair of Moab’s greedy men. As the battle between good and evil plays out, Moab again saves the day. He and Kevin will meet again.
As Kevin and Brett continue on their way to a bank to deposit the “family jewels,” a new villain appears on the horizon — the pirate Zyclos.
The story continues with more beautiful comics. The action picks up, and everyone takes note of Kevin’s entrance—Hassam, Moab—even Moab’s pretty niece.
Moab and his band of desert raiders certainly have good aim with their weapons (shown in a previous post), and the April 6 episode ends with another surprise for Kevin.
Moab shows that he is indeed a man of honor, obeying his people’s “Desert Law.” Kreigh Collins’ portrayal of these honorable men seems refreshing in these days when all Muslims are often perceived to be evil. Perhaps Collins’ portrayal of Moab and his men was influenced by the time he spent in Morocco, as a young man (in 1928).
With an understanding of Desert Law, Kevin and Brett immediately begin to figure out how to escape with their new-found treasure. They will have a bit of a head start, but are facing a formidable foe.
While journeying past the Alps, and on their way to certain adventure — finding a lost treasure! — Kevin and Brett pause for an archery lesson. Who better to have as a teacher than Kevin? Surely he’s the finest archer in the land…
An impromptu contest between Kevin and a local hotshot ends with the expected result. Speaking of expected results, what did Kreigh Collins have against raptors? (In an October 1949 “Mitzi McCoy” sequence, Tim Graham had made a pin cushion of an osprey. Although it’s a similar stunt, it’s nice to see the differences in perspectives between the two illustrations.)
Their land journey over, Kevin and Brett set sail for the exotic East — to Byzantium (which is sometimes referred to as Istanbul or Constantinople).
Note the cute advertisement for the (second) re-release of Walt Disney’s 1937 feature Snow White at the bottom of the page—but the highlight for me is the wonderful throwaway panel illustration of Moab’s niece. Speaking of treasure, it turns out that our heroes aren’t the only ones digging around for it.
Moab demonstrated that he had honorable principles as a youth, when he first saw the jewels being hidden; what about now, when he seeks them as an adult?
In KEVIN THE BOLD’s seventh chapter, Kevin has decided to take Brett as his ward, and they set off together. Brett’s tragic backstory is revealed in these handsomely-printed and concisely-scripted comics. The impressive variety of settings, exotic locales, archery and wildlife were all hallmarks of Collins’ style.
In what must have been a rare case of transposed films, the Chicago Tribune’s March 9, 1952 comic printed badly. (It seems the magenta and cyan plates were switched — similar to a different instance, involving yellow and magenta). A tabloid version from the same day had its own reproduction issues, but gave an indication of how the colors were probably supposed to appear.
For a while, it seemed like the results of last week’s survey would be unanimous, but a late flurry of vote (singular intended—Ed.) made things interesting. As I was color-correcting the pages of what was Rafa G’s request, TOM MIX Nr. 4, a second vote came in from Alberto, tying the score. With no tie-breaker in place, a New York Mirror Sunday comics section will have to wait until next month.
Although my ruse didn’t produce an overwhelming response, it was nice to hear from a few readers. As for the third request I received (thanks, Roger!), the Treasure Hunt chapter will begin next week.
Like the preceding issues, the cover for TOM MIX Nr. 4 was printed in color on a nice, sturdy cover stock, with black and white inside covers. Released two weeks after its predecessor, the cover seems to feature General George Custer. (I might be missing something, but I didn’t find this character inside the comic book). Besides the cachet of being a nicely printed, 70-year old comic featuring the Swedish version of KEVIN THE BOLD, it features a few other elements that coincidentally align with some of my (other) fondest obsessions—the Buffalo Bills, beer, and Johnny Cash.
As usual, two episodes of UGH appeared on the inside front cover. The main portion of the comic book was kicked off by a mock-up of a newspaper’s front page.
TOM MIX runs across three spreads…
…and concludes on a page facing the recurring På Kryss med Roland contest, notable for its imagined adventures, this time featuring a giant squid on the attack.
De Dog Med Stövlama På (“They Died with their Boots On”) follows; it profiles “Wild” Bill Hickok, the notorious gun-fighting western figure.
Eight pages of a comic based on the exploits of William F. “Buffalo Bill” Cody followed. Interestingly enough, “Wild” Bill Hickok and Buffalo Bill knew each other—in fact, Hickok became Cody’s mentor.
Two Bills—“WIld” (left) and “Buffalo” (right).
I’m not overly familiar with either of these Bills, but having grown up in western New York State, I’m a big fan of the (American) football team, the Buffalo Bills!
Next up was ROLAND DEN DJÄRVE. The action picks up where it left off in TOM MIX Nr. 3, with the episode originally published on December 24, 1950. The comic book publisher created their own color separations, and an interesting choice was made for the color of Roland’s hair—he’s blond (not the first time Kevin was depicted as a toehead).
To fit in the comic book, the three Sunday half pages were repurposed quite smartly, with each episode being reconfigured into a comic book spread.
As a Buffalo Bills fan, it might come as no surprise that I’m also a fan of beer; I used the little tent seen in the introductory panel of the December 31 episode as part of a beer label I created for Ada, Michigan’s Gravel Bottom Brewery—Kevin the Bold Imperial Stout.
Following Kevin, it’s time for LASH LaRUE.
My only familiarity with Lash LaRue is the fact that he appeared on the cover of a mid-1980s album by another of my obsessions, Johnny Cash. (Before I started collecting my grandfather’s comics, I collected Johnny Cash LPs. I don’t have them all, but 94 is a pretty substantial total—even without including CDs and cassette tapes, but I digress). The handsomely-photographed album features an action shot of Mr. LaRue on the back cover. (Sadly, the version of “Heroes” that appears at the end of side one is not a cover of David Bowie’s memorable track).
No offense to Johnny or Waylon, but the cover art is the album’s highlight. Getting back to the realm of comics, it’s interesting to know that Johnny even had his own comic book.
TOM MIX Nr. 4 concludes with a short story running on the inside back cover, Afrikas Vän (“Africa’s Friend”), about David Livingstone.
Despite owning a book on Livingstone written and illustrated by Kreigh Colllins (1961), my knowledge of the famed explorer was quite spotty. (I was happy to learn that he was an abolitionist, and not out to exploit Africa).
Livingstone’s portrait is featured on the back cover of TOM MIX Nr. 4.
Having just finished the busiest part of the year in my day job as a graphic designer (a two-week stretch of work without a day off, ugh!), I had no time to prepare anything for today’s post. In general, when I finish a multi-week chapter of Sunday comics (as happened last week), I create a stand-alone post, featuring a comic book or Sunday comics section, and then start running a new chapter over the next few weeks.
Here’s an opportunity for you to cast a vote for what you would like to see next week. The choices are: 1. BIG HORN No. 4 (A French comic book featuring Kevin le Hardi, from the late 1950s) 2. A New York Mirror Sunday Comics Section featuring Mitzi McCoy, et al (1949) 3. A 1963 Apu magazine (featuring Kevin’s Finnish iteration, Haukka) 4. Some comics and content from the Argentinian magazine Tit-Bits, which carried Kevin el Denodado 5. Some comics and content from a Swedish comic book, Tom Mix (1953)
Please vote using the “Leave a comment” option found at the bottom, right.
Also, if there is a particular chapter of MITZI McCOY, KEVIN THE BOLD, or UP ANCHOR! you would like me to start running the following week, let me know. Here is a link to the past chapters that have run.
As the chapter draws to a close, a couple of things happen which may be familiar to long-time readers of KEVIN THE BOLD. Kevin’s being distracted by his prime objective—saving others—putting his own safety in jeopardy, and a costume switch between male and female characters (as happened in KEVIN’s debut sequence, a decade earlier).
This time, it’s Brett creating the diversion, allowing Anne a chance at an escape.
Kevin is fortunate to emerge relatively unscathed after the coach topples over—Cardiff, not so much.
The chapter ends as Anne’s guardian appears, and Pedro makes an appearance, signaling a transition to a new adventure.
Kreigh’s Comics 
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